Palm Springs Focus

Transgender Community Coalition (TCC) began as TDoR Palm Springs in 2014 and is a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In the beginning, its purpose was to raise funds for the first Transgender Day of Remembrance Memorial Cenotaph Statue. Due to the strong demand by the local transgender, intersex, gender non-conforming, fluid, non-binary community we quickly outgrew our name of TDoR Palm Springs and became the largest transgender organization in the Inland Empire serving the needs of the local transgender community. Currently, we all work in compassionate volunteer positions in a wide range of social service, linkage to care, HIV/AIDS and PrEP education, youth, housing, employment and other supportive needs so this community can be empowered and reach their highest potential.

On June 28, 2018 we will celebrate one of the most important days in LGBTQ+ civil rights history – the Stonewall Riots of 1969, with the first annual Stonewall Humanitarian Awards Gala. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement we showcase our community’s human rights leadership and accomplishments for both LGBTQ+ youth and adults. We hope to help the most vulnerable group in our LGBT community as Gay and Lesbian leaders and will be creating not only more leadership in the community but showing that the Gay and Lesbian and Bisexual community supports the growth and empowerment of the Transgender, Intersex and Gender Non-Conforming community.

We are excited to have hip-hop violinist, SVET who appeared on America’s Got Talent in 2013. SVET has performed at numerous Pride events and is a brain cancer survivor. He spends much of time speaking on the need to educate the community on cancer and inspires courage through treatment. Two local LGBT youth violinists will be joining SVET in a special performance.

Youth Power for Change is 2018 Palm Springs Pride Theme

Inspired by and in support of youth-led movement-building efforts that are awakening critical conversations for social change, Greater Palm Springs Pride kicks off the 2018 Pride season under the theme of Youth Power for Change. Youth of Coachella Valley have also been named Grand Marshals of the 2018 Pride Parade.

Empowered youth are at the forefront of building a national movement that can shape public policy for generations. While we believe youth who are empowered will change the world, we are reminded that youth have historically been on the frontlines of social change, ranging from the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter. Recently, in response to the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, youth leadership emerged across the country and created national marches to demand change and end gun violence. They have crafted powerful position statements, organized school walkouts, lobbied politicians and engaged in conversations with elected-officials.

Greater Palm Springs Pride is committed to empowering youth in the Coachella Valley through mentorship, community engagement and by directly funding grassroots programs in support of youth development, team building and anti-bullying efforts. Additionally, we create safe and affirming opportunities for youth to participate in activities related to Pride. We actively collaborate with Safe Schools Desert Cities to connect with youth and provide funding, through the Pride Youth Fund, directly to Gay-Straight Alliance clubs and LGBT youth programs.

The Palm Springs Pride Parade is scheduled for November 4. The parade steps off at 10am at Palm Canyon Dr. and Tachevah and proceeds downtown on Palm Canyon Dr. to the main entrance of the Pride Festival at Museum Way.

24th Annual Palm Springs International ShortFest

The Palm Springs International ShortFest, Short Film Festival & Film Market is celebrated as one of the most acclaimed short film showcases in the world. This year the event takes place June 19-25 2018. The Palm Springs International ShortFest has become known world-wide for the extraordinary community of filmmakers it attracts, and for the quality and scope of its programming. Showcasing over 330 short films each year from more than 50 countries, with a library of more than 4,200 films available to film buyers, industry and press in its concurrent Short Film Market, ShortFest is the largest festival of its kind in North America.

Since the Festival’s inception, more than 100 short films featured at the event have gone on to garner Academy Award nominations.

Best of all, all films submitted to the Festival are eligible for free inclusion in the Short Film Market and made available to all attending industry and press for viewing at our Film Market headquarters & screening center.